Review Geek - Are Portable Solar Chargers Worth It?

August 10, 2022

It seems like portable solar chargers are everywhere these days. And if you’re like me, you probably tried one of those little ones you stuck to the car window a decade or so ago and found great disappointment. They just didn’t work and were a waste of money.

But these days, solar portable solar chargers are supposed to be bigger, better, and more up to the task of keeping your stuff powered up. But they also cost a lot more than the little useless car window junk. So you might be wondering, are portable solar chargers worth dropping your money on now? We have the answer in the top story.

Other Highlights:

• It’s Samsung Unpacked day! We’re expecting foldable phones, watches, and more! And we have the details on how to watch the announcement.
• This new iPhone feature in the latest iOS beta is everything you could ever want. OK, maybe it’s not that big a deal, but it is something you probably want.
• Nearly every Ferarrari from the last 20 years got recalled. No really.
• …and more!

-Josh

Harnessing power from the sun is a great way to recharge gadgets or your smartphone for free while you’re out camping, going off-grid, or dealing with an emergency. However, portable solar panels aren’t free and are not always effective. So, are portable solar chargers worth buying? Read More »

The Skullcandy Mod XTs are a set of true wireless earbuds that bring solid sound at a great price. If you’re someone who wants all of the versatility of a wireless earbud but can’t justify the cost of ultra-premium models, consider picking these up. Read More »

It’s been nearly eight months since The New York Times purchased Wordle for at least $1 mill dollars. And while some people are scared that Wordle could end up behind a paywall, a new report indicates that Wordle may simply become an ad-supported game. Read More »

The original dune buggy is back, and this time, it’s all-electric. Slated for an August 19th unveiling, the Meyers Manx 2.0 Electric features a retro design by the celebrated Freeman Thomas. But details for the vehicle, including its price, as still largely unknown. Read More »

Are you ready for the next generation of foldable phones? Samsung is expected to reveal its Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4 during an Unpacked livestream on August 10th. And if you wake up at a decent hour, you can watch this livestream as it unfolds. Read More »

If you like to listen to music, podcasts, audiobooks, or anything else while you’re in the shower, the Donerton Bluetooth Shower Speaker is an excellent choice. It easily sticks to any smooth surface and stays there as long as needed. The speaker connects to any Bluetooth-enabled computer, smartphone, or other digital media player. The 360-degree sound is perfect for bathroom acoustics. And since it’s water resistant, it can come in the shower with you. Just remember that it’s not waterproof, so try not to drop it in the tub or place it directly in the shower stream. Plus, a price tag of less than $30 won’t break the bank.

After nearly a five-year absence from the iPhone, the battery-percentage indicator is returning in iOS 16. Read More »

Portable chargers are a great way to keep all your gadgets powered on when you’re enjoying the great outdoors or on the go. But once it runs out of battery or you go off the grid, you’re out of luck. That’s where the new Anker 515 Portable Solar Panel charger comes to save the day. Read More »

We have bad news if you’re the proud owner of a Ferrari released anytime in nearly two decades. The company recently announced recalls to almost every model after 2004 over a potentially terrifying brake failure. Read More »

To highlight its environmental efforts, Skullcandy is launching limited-edition “Transparency” versions of its Hesh Evo headphones and Jib True 2 earbuds. The retro-inspired audio products are now available at Skullcandy’s website, and a portion of all sales goes toward Protect Our Winters. Read More »

There is a strong argument to be made for selecting a mesh router over a traditional router, even in instances where you’re using a single access point. But if you’re shopping with the intent to split a mesh pack up you need to shop carefully. Read More »

There’s a lot to love about the iPhone, and it can be overwhelming at times. Apple’s smartphone includes thousands of handy features tucked away in places you might never discover unless someone told you about them. With that in mind, we’ve picked out ten great features every iPhone owner should be using—newbies and veterans alike. Read More »

Keeping your devices charged while on vacation can be a pain because it means packing enough cables and power adaptors for everything. Thankfully, the UGREEN Nexode 100W Charger provides enough power to leave your other charging bricks at home. Read More »

The iPhone in your pocket is probably more powerful than a Nintendo Switch, one of the world’s most popular game consoles. So why not put all that power to use and play some games, just like you would on a handheld? Read More »

Amazon.com has been around since 1995, which gives people plenty of time to build a long history with the site. It’s especially fun to look back at first Amazon order you ever placed, since Amazon keeps records going back to the beginning. Here’s how to find it. Read More »